Monday, August 25, 2008
In the early hours of Saturday, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) announced his choice of running mate for the 2008 election as U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), ending speculation that Kansas’ Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, University graduate, would be the nominee. Political analysts had pegged Sebelius, who was also a vice presidential possibility in the 2004 elections as running mate for Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), as a top four choice for Obama’s vice presidential candidate.
Among the other potential running mates for Obama were the governor of Virginia, Tim Kaine, and Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, according to The New York Times.
Julia Groeblacher, McPherson junior and former president of KU Young Democrats, said that based on recent polls of Obama supporters, the likelihood of Sebelius becoming vice president had been low.
“Unfortunately, I think it’s because she’s so new to the scene nationally,” Groeblacher said. Groeblacher said she would have liked to have seen Sebelius step up to the role of vice president because of Sebelius’ knowledge of the economy and education.
Tom Hartley, chairman of the Douglas County Democratic Party, said the main reason Sebelius didn’t receive the nomination was because Obama had to consider how to win more electoral votes.
“From a political standpoint I didn’t think she’d be a nominee, because I don’t think she wins him a lot of votes on a political point from electoral strategy,” Hartley said. “She’s a phenomenal choice and definitely a bridge divide between the parties, but at the end of the day it comes down to who is going to help him win.”
Amanda Applegate, Wichita senior and member of KU Young Democrats, said although Sebelius got bonus points for policies with the economy, health care and education, she was missing a very important element for a vice presidential candidate.
“She lacks foreign policy experience, which would greatly benefit her right now,” Applegate said.
Experience is something for which supporters have praised Biden. Biden has been in the Senate since 1973 and currently serves as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.
Applegate said that Sebelius also wouldn’t pull enough electoral votes for Obama, and that it was hard for Democrats to run in Kansas, a primarily Republican state.
— - Edited by Adam Mowder
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